Universal Design for Learning

WALDEN UNIVERSITY

Universal Design for Learning

BY JEREMY JARVINEN

Sherrilyn Hatch, Debra Chester

March 30, 2014

Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology (EDUC - 6714I - 2)

ARCHITECTURAL improvements ....

....provide options for everyone!

Architectural Movement inspires UDL Concept!

What is Universal Design for Learning?

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an instructional format that gives every student the opportunity to be successful by designing flexibility into the curriculum.

• David Rose stated that changes in the viewpoint of education mandates that must demonstrate growth in the general education curriculum. These changes places more focus on student learning and the need to provide options to be successful.

(Laureate Education. 2009)

How does UDL work?

Principles 1:

MULTIPLE LEVELS OF REPRESENTATION

EXAMPLES OF PRESENTATION

3 PRINCIPLES TO UDL

• Multiple methods of presentation
• Multiple methods of expression
• Multiple methods of engagement

Meeting the learning needs of every student is a daunting task but is manageable if the teacher is flexible with both teaching styles and lessons. Offering a variety of resources to help enhance student learning is recommended (Laureate Education. 2009).

Resources may include:

• Visual aides (physical or digital form)
• Books, digital text or audio
• Videos
• Hands-on models
• Computers, laptops, tablets
• Smartboards

(IRIS Center. 2014)

Principles 2:

(IRIS CENTER. 2014)

MULTIPLE LEVELS OF EXPRESSION

(Cast. 2011).

Principles 2:

Principles 3:

EXAMPLES OF EXPRESSION

MULTIPLE LEVELS OF ACTION & ENGAGEMENT

Providing students alternative ways of instruction is important, but equally important is providing a variety of options that will allow each students to demonstrate their understanding of the material.

Resources may include:

• Digital text or audio
• Videos or Podcasts
• Digital storyboards
• Hands-on models
• Computers, laptops, tablets
• Smartboards

To further enhance student learning, teachers should provide engaging real world projects in conjunction with the lesson. Allowing collaboration, tutoring can help in the learning process.

(IRIS Center. 2014)

(Cast. 2011)

Resources may include:

• Musical equipment
• Construction equipment
• Computer Aided Drafting
• Learning modules
• Tutoring
• Technology

(IRIS Center. 2014)

UDL IMPACT ON STUDENTS

TECHNOLOGY IN UDL

(Cast. 2011)

Technology provides the teacher flexibility in how they design their lessons to meet the learning needs of all students. Students can benefit form a tailored education. Struggling students can use technology to overcome barriers, while advance students can challenge themselves on a high level.

Principles 3:

EXAMPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

(UDL Connect. 2011)

Before...

After...

Traditional learning techniques altho effective, do not meet the needs of all students. Traditional methods can become stale and boring which can cause students to loose interest or focus. Creating a fun and engaging lesson that offers a variety of instructional formats, outlets to express growth and engaging activities will enhance the overall learning experience.

UDL WORKS FOR EVERYONE!

BRAIN RESEARCH

Recognition Network: Party of the brain that gathers facts, categories, identifies etc.

CAST ONLINE TOOLS

Strategic Network: Part of the brain that plans, performs task and express ideas.

CAST UDL Studio: http://udlstudio.cast.org/

Free online resources that allows you to develop an interactive digital book. The resource can be modified in multiple configurations, including audio, images and video.

CAST UDL Lesson Builder: http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

Free online resources that aides in designing of lessons and to meet individual learning needs and aligns them with UDL formats.

CAST UDL Online Modules: http://udlonline.cast.org/home

Free online resources that provide multiple means of representations, actions and expression and engagement. The online modules provide a variety of built in options aimed at meeting the individual learning needs of students.

REFERENCES:

Affective Network: part of the brain that engages, keeps interests and motivation.

(CAST. 2011)

(Cast. 2011)

Cast. (2011). Information was retrieved on March 22, 2014 from www.cast.org

The IRIS Center. (2014). Information was retrieved on March 30, 2014 from http://goo.gl/t3nWYd

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Reaching and engaging all learners through technology: Brain research and Universal Design for Learning. Baltimore, MD: Author.

UDL Connect. (2011). What is the role of technology in UDL. Information was retrieved on March 30, 2014 from http://goo.gl/37vkqy

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an instructional format that gives every student the opportunity to be successful by designing flexibility into the curriculum. After researching the various concepts and resources, I believe that this instructional format can be utilized throughout my school district. I would encourage anyone interested in learning more about the UDL format to visit www.CAST.org for more information.